INSTRUMENTATION

Science instruments for lunar missions

A major goal of the CLRN is to develop expertise in planetary missions. Thus, a key objective of this group is to generate concepts for future lunar missions, with the ultimate goal of participating in Canadian and NASA-led missions to the Moon. Two groups from the CLRN have submitted responses to the Odyssey Moon Request for Information (RFI) for instruments to fly on the proposed M-1 mission. The first response submitted by Dr. Cloutis concerns flying a UV-vis-NIR (0.2-3.5 micron) spectrometer to map ilmenite and search for evidence of water and organics. It is based on the LOUVRE (Lunar Optical Ultraviolet Reconnaissance Explorer) mission concept that was submitted to the Canadian Space Agency request for proposals.

The second concept in development and submitted to the Odyssey Moon RFI includes a landed lunar dust and regolith characterization instrument package, involving a Lidar, microscope, and electric field probe. This represents a new collaboration between UWO, York University, MDA, and Optech. Through this initiative, it is our hope to establish links with U.S. colleagues involved in the LADEE mission and to look for opportunities for Canadian involvement in a landed dust mission. A further project led by McGill University involves developing a Ground Penetrating Radar for lunar applications.